What is the purpose of the docker-compose tool?

The purpose of the docker-compose tool is to deploy multi-container applications. Docker Compose allows developers to define and run applications that consist of multiple Docker containers using a single configuration file, typically named docker-compose.yml. This file describes the services, networks, and volumes that the application requires, making it easy to manage complex applications that rely on several interconnected containers.

Using Docker Compose simplifies the process of starting and stopping the entire application stack with just a single command. This is particularly beneficial in development and testing environments, where you can quickly spin up a full suite of services that mimic production.

While creating Docker images, monitoring system performance, and managing Docker networks are all essential aspects of working with Docker, these tasks fall outside the primary functionality of Docker Compose. Instead, those tasks are handled by other tools and commands within the Docker ecosystem. This specialization in managing multi-container applications makes Docker Compose an invaluable tool for developers working with distributed applications.